Ecology. an animal population that becomes the prey of a predator that usually feeds on a different species.

8.

Computers. a storage device for temporarily holding data until the computer is ready to receive or process the data, as when a receiving unit has an operating speed lower than that of the unit feeding data to it.

9.

Electronics. a circuit with a single output activated by one or more of several inputs.

10.

Chemistry.

any substance or mixture of compounds that, added to a solution, is capable of neutralizing both acids and bases without appreciably changing the original acidity or alkalinity of the solution.

1545-55;1900-05for def 4; earlier buffe wild ox, back formation from buffle < Middle French < Late Latinbūfalus; see buffalo; (def 4) originally a person enthusiastic about firefighting and firefighters, allegedly after the buff uniforms once worn by volunteer firefighters in New York City

buff

The color term comes from the hue of buffalo hides (later ox hides). Association of "hide" and "skin" led c.1600 to in the buff. Buff-colored uniforms of New York City volunteer firefighters since 1820s led to meaning "enthusiast" (1903).

The Buffs are men and boys whose love of fires, fire-fighting and firemen is a predominant characteristic. [N.Y. "Sun," Feb. 4, 1903]

buffer buff·er (bŭf'ər)n. A substance that minimizes change in the acidity of a solution when an acid or base is added to the solution. v.buff·ered, buff·er·ing, buff·ers To treat a solution with a buffer.

Chemistry A substance that prevents change in the acidity of a solution when an acid or base is added to the solution or when the solution is diluted. Buffers are used to make solutions of known pH, especially for instrument calibration purposes. Natural buffers also exist in living organisms, where biochemical reactions are very sensitive to changes in pH.

Computer Science A device or an area of a computer that temporarily stores data that is being transferred between two machines that process data at different rates, such as a computer and a printer.

buff 1

noun

A devotee or enthusiast; hobbyist; fan, nut: I like to think I'm a people buff

[originally fire buff, because New York City volunteer firefighters about 1820 wore buff-colored, light brownish yellow coats; transferred to persons who like to watch fires, then to enthusiasts in general]